mel jacobson on tue 14 sep 04
anyone that is willing to master coil throwing
will be thrilled with it.
i have seen it done, watched it...amazed, and
have not done it myself.....well, because i do
not need to throw that big.
big throwing. pots. hand built, wheel thrown, whatever...
are based on your kiln size, and your customer base.
who needs them? think that first.
hard to store 50 lb pots...they fill your studio fast.
i do not work larger than about 16lbs of clay.
it just is not my customer base to make them
larger.
all of my comments on throwing are directed at
folks that teach throwing, want to be better throwers
and potters.
if you hand build, make sculpture, work in a school that
has one wheel...and it is in storage...ignore me.
if you think the direction of art is making metaphor
images that have great meaning. well, you are in charge of
what is done.
but, even if students are making the next great `thought`,
it is nice that the clay holds together, the kiln is fired to the
correct temperature, and the glaze hangs on. that is the
teachers deal. i don't like that part ignored, or passed over
as unnecessary, or the world's oldest excuse. `we don't teach
craftsmanship`.
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: my.pclink.com/~melpots
or try: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
new/ http://www.rid-a-tick.com
Bonnie Staffel on wed 15 sep 04
hi Mel and all,
I agree that throwing with coils for making big pots is great, but I use the
method almost every day, especially since I am recovering from CTS
operations. With the method you can make "out-of-round-objects on the small
scale and are quite saleable. I also make large bowls and platters. I did
sell one of my big lamp bases at the recent Charlevoix Art Fair and the
customer said she might put it in her home in Turkey. So a customer really
needs a large home usually to display such work as well. I have sold enough
big pots to make my life interesting and will be having a show in October at
the Crooked Tree Art Center in October involving my big "teapots." I am
designing some "teacups" to go with the sets.
My message is to potters who are growing older and having trouble with
their hands or strength. This method is an easily learned process as well
as for those who are not in any problem area. It is fun and you can get
very creative with it. Earlier this year I made very soft clay and even
throwing off the hump felt like I was centering bricks as my hands were so
tender. I wish I had known these Thai method videos were available, however
I learned the process from an article in CM many years ago showing how to
make rectangular or out-of-round baking pans.
I might like to add that the profits from the sale of my video go to an art
fund bearing my name to be used to help students further their art careers
in my territory. This is mentioned on the Link page on my web site where if
you would care to donate to my fund, it would be greatly appreciated (or buy
my video). The address is listed.
I can understand why you, Mel, do not work this way as your interests and
education go in a different direction. As numerous potters have posted
their thoughts on this string, there are many ways to work with clay to
satisfy their own creative spirit.
Respectfully yours,
Bonnie Staffel of Charlevoix, where we are having a late summer heat wave.
http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel
http://www.vasefinder.com/
Potters Council member
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